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The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has described the avalanche of illegal mining in the country as alarming.
According to him, with the necessary training, the government-instituted community mining system can ensure sustainable mining practices.
“This small scale mining business that we have, if we structure it well and train people, they can do it and do it well without destroying our bodies of water.”
He also pointed out that the issue of the galamsey predates the minister of the sector, so a collective effort is necessary to eradicate the problem.
“This minister is new and obviously he came to meet Galamsey … we have to advise the minister so we can address those issues.”
Asantehene made the comment when the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, paid him a courtesy visit at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi as part of his two-day tour of the Ashanti region.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources says that the expansion of community mining will form the core of its activities in the next four years.
Sector Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor says that the elimination of illegal mining activities requires adjusting existing regulations to meet the needs of small miners.
“Between my office and the minerals commission, we will make sure to expand crushed mining here in Ghana.”
The minister addressed the media after inspecting some community mining sites in the Ashanti region.
“It is very clear that the way forward to solve the problem of illegal small-scale mining is community mining.”
Mr. Jinapor explains that this is because “these community mining sites that I just witnessed are clearly exploiting sustainably, they are exploiting with respect to the environment.”
